Thought Leadership

Operation Smile staff and volunteers are at the forefront of cleft research and collaboration.

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What It Takes to Expand Sustainable Access to Surgical Care

Five billion people lack access to surgical care. At Devex Impact House @ UNGA81, Operation Smile and the Baxter Foundation explored why closing that gap means investing beyond individual procedures.

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Surgeons at work during a program in Peru.

The Lancet World Report: Cleft Surgery in Peru

This World Report article in The Lancet Group highlights that access to cleft care depends on the strength of the health systems that deliver it through the lens of Operation Smile’s work in Peru.

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Featured Stories

Hundreds wait for care during a surgical program in the Philippines.

Adolphe and his mom smile for the camera.

Featured Story

How AI is Reaching the Unreachable

Dr. Gaurav Deshpande recently spoke at “AI for Access,” sharing the role AI plays in Operation Smile’s work. “Access, for us, is simple,” he said. “It’s about turning barriers into bridges, and AI plays a pivotal role in that process.”

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Featured Story

Opinion: Bringing Surgical Access Closer to Home in an Overlooked Global Health Crisis

Kristie Magee Porcaro, Operation Smile’s chief strategy and development officer, discusses the global surgical crisis, which demands urgent action, on Devex’s website.

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Featured Story

The Power of Storytelling to Build Hope and Expand Access

Operation Smile Chief Strategy Officer Kristie Magee Porcaro talks about the new brand campaign, We Build Hope, and how storytelling can help shift perceptions around safe surgery.

Featured Story

Using AI to Help Create New Smiles and Rebuild Lives

Operation Smile has teamed up with Microsoft to leverage Artificial Intelligence, allowing surgeons to bring the gold standard of care to even the most remote places in the world.

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Research and Thought Leadership Publications

Our research initiatives encompass a wide variety of topics covering cleft-specific and general surgical care, including epidemiology, genetics, barriers to care, surgical outcomes, leadership, health systems, policy, and education and training.

Dejene AS, Auslander A, Gizaw AT, Ababulgu FA, Yesuf EA. Exploring caregivers’ lived experiences in accessing comprehensive cleft care at Jimma University Medical Center: A phenomenological study in Southwest Ethiopia. Children. 2026;13(10):1372. https://doi.org/10.3390/children13101372
Thornton J. Cleft surgery in Peru. The Lancet. 2026;407:1904-1905. Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. Copyright © 2026 Elsevier. Originally published in The Lancet.
Desai, Priti P., Myles, A., Steppling, C. Children’s rights and ethical imperative to promote emotional safety policies and practices for cleft surgeries in low- and middle-income countries. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/10556656261468109
Herrera, G., R, G., Potter, A., Segura, C., Kanmounye, U., Uribe-leitz, T., & Ayala, R. (). Governments, Communities, and Experts Assembled in Bogotá to Transform Emergency, Critical and Operative Care in the Pan American Health Organization Region. Journal of Global Surgery (ONE) , –. https://doi.org/10.52648/JoGS.1210
Jolibois MI et al. Premaxillary Setback in the Management of Patients With Bilateral Cleft Lip: A 2 Decade Review. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2026.
Poh DCSC, Bulfeta NG, Ayala R, Barash D, Fabry S, Hyman GY, et al. Sustainable surgical financing through philanthropy: an analysis of contributions to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). BMJ Global Health. 2026;11:e021114. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-021114

Autelitano L et al. Bone Formation in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients after Early Secondary Gingivoalveoloplasty and Bone Graft: Long-Term Study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025.
Bustamante A, Diaz J, Jones E, Gomez LH, Celie KB, Nuñez J, Auslander A, Magee WP III, De Pawlikowski, W. Surgical Techniques for Cleft Lip Repair: Insights From Latin America and the Caribbean. Ann Plast Surg. 2025 Feb 10;10.1097/SAP.0000000000004379. https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000004379
Daiem M et al. Surgical Repair of Palatal Fistulae in Adults—Outcomes, Challenges, and Determinants of Recurrence. Ann Plast Surg. 2025.
Jolibois MI et al. A Comparison of Speech Outcomes Among Patients With Syndromic Cleft Palate: A 20-year Review. J Craniofac Surg. 2025.
Jones EM, Stanton E, Etemad S, Bautista A, Diaz J, Cote E, et al. Measuring the impact of medical education in resource limited settings: A scoping review. PLOS Global Public Health 2025 Aug 5;5(8):e0004637. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004637
Lasky S et al. A Novel Approach to Intermediate Cleft Rhinoplasty Utilizing a Pedicled Fibrofatty Flap. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2025.
Lasky S et al. Orthognathic Surgery Rates in Furlow Double-Opposing Z-Plasty Versus Straight-Line Repair: A Review of Three Decades of Experience. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Lasky S et al. Long-Term Outcomes of a Modified Straight-Line Palate Repair Technique: Low Speech-Correcting Surgery and Fistula Rates. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025.
Lu X et al. Comparing Three-dimensional Radiologic Outcomes Between Early Versus Late Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting. J Craniofac Surg. 2025.
Mejia V et al. Mastering the Art of Symmetry: Long-Term Outcomes and Management in Patients with Tessier No. 7 Cleft. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Mitra M, Muduli JK, Davis GL. Special considerations for international weight standards for cleft surgery: presurgical optimisation in a patient with femoral‑facial syndrome. BMJ Case Rep. 2025 Jun 24;18(6):e265447. doi:10.1136/bcr‑2025‑265447
Moshal T et al. The Impact of Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding on Midface Growth in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Naidu P, Plonkowski AT, Yao CA, Magee WP III. A Summary of the Existing Data on Cleft Surgical Outcomes: What Do We Not Know?. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open. 2025 April; 13(4):p e6660. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006660
Naidu P, Plonkowski AT, Yao CA, Magee WP III. Evolution of Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery and the Pursuit for Consensus on Standardized Algorithms of Care. Plast Reconstr Surg – Glob Open. 2025 Mar;13(3):e6643. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006643
O’Brien, D., Mitra, M., Jadly, M. et al. Preoperative nutrition intervention program increases cleft surgery eligibility in the low- and middle-income country setting. BMC Nutr. 2025 Mar 4;11(1):48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01031-3
Paredes, FJ. MD; Alvarez, EC. MD; Jones, EM. BS; Paredes, Valeri K. MD. The Four-line Algorithm for the Treatment of Unilateral Cleft Lip. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open. 2025 Feb;13(2):e6529. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006529
Pekcan A et al. Predictors of Reoperation After Orthognathic Surgery in Patients With Cleft Palate: Two Decades of Insight. J Craniofac Surg. 2025.
Plonkowski AT, Naidu P, Celie K-B, Munabi NCO, Nagengast E, Tapia MF, Ntirenganya F, Yao CA, Magee WP III. Mortality in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open 2025 May; 13(5):p e6721. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006721
Plonkowski AT, Naidu P, Turk M, Choi DG, Yao CA, Magee WP III. What Predicts Postoperative Palate Length Gained? A Study of Patients Treated by an International Cleft NGO. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open 2025 May; 13(S1):p 29-30. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.GOX.0001112124.19503.5b
Plonkowski AT, Turk M, Naidu P, Choi DG, Yao CA, Magee III WP. Regional variations in cleft lip and palate repair techniques: A mixed-methods study of international volunteer surgeons. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2025 March 21;105:208-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2025.03.042
Plonkowski AT, Naidu P, Davis GL, Etemad S, Otobo DD, Dwyer AM, Yao CA, and Magee WP III. Barriers to timely primary cleft surgery in patients treated by an international cleft-focused NGO across 18 countries. World J Surg. 2025 Mar;49(3):664–74. https://doi.org/10.1002/wjs.12469
Plonkowski AT, Choi D, Naidu P, Turk M, Yao CA, Magee WP III. The Rate of Secondary Speech Surgery After Cleft Palate Repair: A Systematic Review. Plast Reconstr Surg – Glob Open. 2025 Feb;13(2):e6465. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006465
Roohani I et al. Inpatient versus Outpatient Alveolar Bone Grafting: A Nationwide Cost Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Roohani I et al. Failure Rates Based on Alveolar Cleft Volume: Analysis of the Critical-Size Defect for Alveolar Bone Grafting. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025.
Salazar B et al. Experiences of Obturator Use in Adults With Unrepaired Cleft Palate: A Qualitative Study. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Stanton EW et al. A Nationwide Analysis of the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Anomalies on Cleft Palate Surgical Outcomes. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Tapia MF, Daradkeh H, Bustamante A, Jones EM, Treminio SY, Turk M, Rata M, Salazar B, Barkhordarzadeh AD, Bautista AC, Herrera Gomez L, Davis GL, Magee III W, Munabi NCO, Auslander A. Unveiling Patient Perspectives: A Multinational Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patient Experiences Undergoing Cleft Care by All-Women Surgical Teams. J Healthc Leadersh. 2025 April 11;17:123-132 https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S508633
Tapia MF, Treminio S, Celie K-B, Bustamante A, Diaz J, Auslander A, Magee B III, Dorado C. A Cross-Sectional Study of the Cleft Surgical Workforce in Bolivia. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal. 2025 June 26;0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10556656251351447
Trotter C et al. A Single Institution 19 Year Comparison of Furlow and Straight Line Palatoplasty Techniques in Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025.
Umutoni A, Dadson SS, Edeh E, Ndudi MG, Kuol PP, Barasa T, Ojamah OS, Nkansah-Poku K, Nyarko EB, Majata EC, Kanmounye US. Assessing the Reliability of YouTube Content for Plastic Surgery Patient Information in Africa With the Modified DISCERN and JAMA Scores. Annals of Plastic Surgery 2025 April; 94(4):p 403-408. https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000004186
Umutoni A, Istl AC, Gellings JA, Alabi O, Tarpley MJ, Emamaullee J, Dodgion C, Alayande BT. Authorship Equity in Academic Surgery: Barriers and Pathways to Parity. J Surg Res. 2025 Jul;S0022480425004287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2025.06.087

Alice, Umutoni MBChB et al. Global Surgery Speaker Series: An Education and Advocacy Resource for the Advancement of Global Plastic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024.
Bustamante A, Salazar Lopez BB, Jones EM, Turk M, Tapia Arellano MF, Treminio S, Rata MJ, Msokera C, Daradkeh H, Barkhordarzadeh AD, Umutoni A, Bautista A, Naidu P, Munabi NCO, Magee III WP, Cote EA, Magee K, Auslander A. Breaking the Glass Ceiling: A Multiregional Study of Mentorship and Leadership in All-Women Surgical Teams. J Healthc Leadersh. 2024;16:403-414 https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S472364
Celie KB, Mocharnuk J, Kanmounye U, Ayala R, Banu T, Lakhoo K. The importance of global bioethics to paediatric health care. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. 2024; 8(5).
Celie K-B, Symons X, Kochheiser M, et al. Conscientious objection: a global health perspective. BMJ Glob Health 2024;9:e017555. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017555
Dadson, Shirley Sarah BS, MBChB(c)a; Nuamah, Jonathan Ayeyi BS, MBChB(c)a; Kanmounye, Ulrick Sidney MDb; Umutoni, Alice MBChBb. Building the Next Generation of African Plastic Surgeons. Annals of Plastic Surgery ():10.1097/SAP.0000000000004096, September 4, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000004096
Dutton J, Parikh N, Cabrera M, Robleto C, Lambert M, et al. (2024) Perceptions of surgery in Nicaragua: A cross-sectional survey study within the surgery for the people project. PLOS Global Public Health 4(10): e0003835. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003835
Gebremariyam, Zenebe T. MD, FCS-ECSA; Weldemichael, Nebiyat A. MD, FCS-ECSA. Pioneering Microsurgery Services in Low-income Countries: Insights from a Plastic Surgeon’s Experience in Ethiopia. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open 12(4):p e5705, April 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005705
Gerk, Ayla; Forbes, Callum; Wunderman, Tyalor; Kumar, Nikathan; McLeod, Elizabeth J.; Meara, John G.; Jimbo-Sotomayor, Ruth; McClain, Craig D.; Fuentes, Maria Jose Garcia; Uribe-Leitz, Tarsicio; Vega, Alfredo Borrero. Promoting climate-resilient health systems through national surgical plans. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas 2024; 40: 100911.
Hellar, Augustino M. M.D., M.Med., MBA; Akoko, Larry M.D., M.Med.; Jumbam, Desmond T. MBA; Damian, Caroline M.D., M.Med; Kapologwe, Ntuli M.D., MPH, MBA; Kengia, James T. D.D.S., MPH; Maongezi, Sarah M.D. MPH; Masuma, Janeth M.D., M.Med.; Giiti, Geofrey M.D., M.Med; Lugazia, Edwin M.D., M.Med; Segirinya, Hannigton B.Sc.; Pembe, Andrea B. M.D., M.Med. An Assessment of Progress and Challenges in the Implementation of the National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) in Tanzania. East and Central African Journal of Surgery. 2024; 29(2): 15-22. | DOI: 10.4314/ecajs.v29i2.4
Kumar N, Hyman GY, Gerk A, Wurdeman T, Uribe-Leitz T, Corlew S, et al. Scalable policy adoption and sustainable implementation of surgical care in the Americas. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2024;48:132. https://doi.org/10.26633/RPSP.2024.132
Umutoni A, Dadson SS. Humanitarian Facial Recognition for Rare Craniofacial Malformations. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Aug 21;12(8):e6076. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006076. PMID: 39171242; PMCID: PMC11338258.
Umutoni, A, Dadson SS, Edeh E, Ndudi MG, Kuol PP, Barasa T, Ojamah OS, Nkansah-Poku KAB, Nyarko EB, Majata EC, Kanmounye US. Assessing the Reliability of YouTube Content for Plastic Surgery Patient Information in Africa With the Modified DISCERN and JAMA Scores. Ann Plast Surg. 2024 Dec 18. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000004186. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39729548.
Umutoni, A; Kanmounye, Ulrick Signey; Jumbam, Desmond T.; Ayala, Ruben. Global Surgery Speaker Series: An Education and Advocacy Resource for the Advancement of Global Plastic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024 Sep 10;12(9):e6144. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006144
Umutoni A, Dadson SS. Humanitarian Facial Recognition for Rare Craniofacial Malformations. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2024.

Celie KB, Auslander A, Kuschner S. Communicating conviction: A pilot study of patient perspectives on guidance during medical decision-making in the United States. Clinical Ethics. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/14777509231210770

Celie KB, Paris JJ. Bearing the mark of pain: mystery in medicine. Philos Ethics Humanit Med. 2023 May 19;18(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s13010-023-00134-8. PMID: 37202811

Jumbam DT, Bustamante A, Alayande BT, et al. To advance global surgery and anaesthesia, train more advocates. BMJ Global Health 2023;8:e012848

Jumbam DT, Reddy CL, Meara JG, Makasa EM, Atun R. A financing strategy to expand surgical health care. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2023;11(3):e2100295. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-21-00295

Manojlovic Z, Auslander A, Jin Y, Schmidt RJ, Xu Y, Chang S, Song R, Ingles SA, Nunes A, Vavra KC, Feigelson D, Rakotoarison S, DiBona M, Magee K, Smile O, Ramamonjisoa A, Magee Iii W. Genome Analysis Using Whole-Exome Sequencing of Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate from Malagasy Trios Identifies Variants Associated with Cilium-Related Pathways and Asian Genetic Ancestry. Genes (Basel). 2023 Mar 7;14(3):665. doi: 10.3390/genes14030665. PMID: 36980938

Mikhail S, Chattopadhyay L, DiBona M, Steppling C, Kwadjo D, Ramamonjisoa A, Gallardo W, Almendarez F, Sylvester B, Rosales S, Nthalika I, Collier ZJ, Magee W 3rd, Auslander A. The effect of short-term preoperative nutritional intervention for cleft surgery eligibility. BMC Nutr. 2023 Mar 14;9(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s40795-023-00704-1. PMID: 36918940

Won P., Celie KB, Rutter C., Gillenwater T., Yenikomshian H. Burn Patient Perspectives on Disability Weights and the Philosophy of Disability: A Gap in the Literature. Eur. Burn J. 2023, 4(4), 563-572; https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj4040037

Celie KB, Wlodarczyk J, Naidu P, Tapia MF, Nagengast E, Yao C, Magee W 3rd. Sagittal Growth Restriction of the Midface Following Isolated Cleft Lip Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2022 Jul 25:10556656221116005. Epub ahead of print.
Kanmounye, U. S., Dutton, J. L., Naidu, P., Msokera, C., Collier, Z. J., Fernanda Tapia, M., Mikhail, S., Xepoleas, M., Auslander, A., Yao, C. A., & Magee, W. (2022). Cleft Lip and Palate Research in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Scientometric Analysis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, 10(2), e4122.
Msokera, C., Xepoleas, M., Collier, Z.J. et al. A plastic and reconstructive surgery landscape assessment of Malawi: a scoping review of Malawian literature. Eur J Med Res 27, 119 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00714-y
Munabi NCO, Auslander A, Xepoleas MD, Bunker LD, Vangsness KL, et al. (2022) The influence of an all-female healthcare environment on mentorship and empowerment of female healthcare professionals. PLOS Global Public Health 2(3): e0000081. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000081
Wydick, B., Zahid, M., Manning, S., Maller, J., Evsanaa, K., Skjoldhorne, S., Bloom, M., Das, A., Deshpande, G. (2022). The Impact of Cleft Lip/Palate and Surgical Intervention on Adolescent Life Outcomes. Annals of Global Health, 88(1), 25. http://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3679

Desai, P. P., Brock, E.B., Didericksen, K. W., Olsson, J. M. (2021). Exploring Life Role and Impact of Providing Psychosocial Care During Short-Term Medical Missions. The Journal of Child Life: Psychosocial Theory and Practice, 2(1), 26-41.
Espinosa, A. S., Martinez, J. C., Molina, Y., Gordillo, M., Hernández, D. R., Rivera, D. Z., Olmos, B. P., Ramírez, N., Arias, L., Zarate, A., Diana Marcela Diaz, Q., Collins, A., Cepeda, Á., & Balcazar, I. B. (2021). Clinical and Descriptive Study of Orofacial Clefts in Colombia: 2069 Patients From Operation Smile Foundation. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, 10556656211000551. Advance online publication.
Jumbam DT, Durnwald L, Munabi NCO, Ayala R. (2021) Implementation science: A missing link in global surgery. East Cent Afr J Surg, 26(2):45-48.
Jumbam, D. T., Touray, S., & Totimeh, T. (2021). The role of journals and journal editors in advancing global health research equity. Anaesthesia, 10.1111/anae.15638. Advance online publication. Jumbam, D. T., Touray, S., & Totimeh, T. (2021). The role of journals and journal editors in advancing global health research equity. Anaesthesia, 10.1111/anae.15638. Advance online publication.
Kalmar, C. L., Siu, A., Alvarez, E., & Swanson, J. W. (2021). Modified Buccal Myomucosal Flap Closure of Large Anterior Palatal Oronasal Fistulas. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 147(1), 94e–97e.
McCullough M, Ly S, Auslander A, Yao C, Campbell A, Scherer S, Magee WP 3rd. (2021). Convolutional Neural Network Models for Automatic Preoperative Severity Assessment in Unilateral Cleft Lip.148(1):162-169.
Munabi NCO, Xepoleas MD, Vangsness KL, Koualla S, Magee WP 3rd, Yao CA. (2021). Impact of an All-Female Surgical Team on Moroccan Patient Perspectives of Female Healthcare Providers. 45(11):3280-3287.
Nagengast, E.S., Munabi, N.C.O., Xepoleas, M., Auslander, A., Magee, W., & Chong, D. (2021). The Local Mission: Improving Access to Surgical Care in Middle-Income Countries. World Journal of Surgery, 45, 962–969.
Said, S., Chattopadhyay, L., DiBona, M., Steppling, C., Kwadjo, D., Ramamonjisoa, M., Gallardo, W., Almendarez, F., Rosales, S., Nthalika, Ibrahim., Magee, W., & Auslander, A. (2021). Short-term preoperative nutritional intervention for cleft lip and/or palate surgery eligibility: an effectiveness evaluation in six countries. The Lancet Global Health, 9(S24).
Swanson MA, Auslander A, Morales T, Jedrzejewski B, Magee WP 3rd, Siu A, Ayala R, Swanson JW. (2021). Predictors of Complication Following Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery in a Low-Resource Setting: A Prospective Outcomes Study in Nicaragua.,Online ahead of print, 18:10556656211046810
Takoutsing, B. D., Ikwuegbuenyi, C., Umutoni, A., Ogunfolaji, O., Bankole, N., Mpokota, R., Adegboyega, G., Kanmounye, U. S., & Dokponou, Y. (2021). Health systems strengthening, dissemination, and implementation science in Africa: quo vadis?. The Pan African medical journal, 40, 51.
Yao CA, Vartanian ED, Nagengast E, McCullough M, Auslander A, Magee WP 3rd. (2021). The Smile Index: Part 3. A Simple, Prognostic Severity Scale for Unilateral Cleft Palate. 9(10):e3870.

Auslander, A., McKean-Cowdin, R., Brindopke, F., Sylvester, B., DiBona, M., Magee, K., Kapoor, R., Conti, D. V., Rakotoarison, S., Magee, W., 3rd, & Operation Smile International Family Study Group* (2020). The role of smoke from cooking indoors over an open flame and parental smoking on the risk of cleft lip and palate: A case- control study in 7 low-resource countries. Journal of global health, 10(2), 020410.
Jumbam DT, Durnwald L, Ayala R, Kanmounye US. (2020) The role of non-governmental organizations in advancing the global surgery goals. J Public Health Emerg, 4:18.
Munabi, N. C. O., Durnwald, L., Nagengast, E. S., Ntirenganya, F., & Magee III, W. P. (2020). Long-Term Impact of a Mission-Based Surgical Training Rotation on Plastic Surgery Capacity Building in Rwanda. Journal of Surgical Education, 77(1), 124-130.
Sylvester, B., Brindopke, F., Suzuki, A., Giron, M., Auslander, A., Maas, R. L., Tsai, B., Gao, H., Magee, W., 3rd, Cox, T. C., & Sanchez-Lara, P. A. (2020). A Synonymous Exonic Splice Silencer Variant in IRF6 as a Novel and Cryptic Cause of Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip and Palate. Genes, 11(8), 903.
Xepoleas, M. D., Munabi, N., Auslander, A., Magee, W. P., & Yao, C. A. (2020). The experiences of female surgeons around the world: a scoping review. Human resources for health, 18(1), 80.

Auslander, A., Mckean-Cowdin, R., Brindopke, F., Magee, K., DiBona, M., & Magee, W. (2019). Environmental risk factors for cleft lip and palate in low-resource settings: a case-control study. The Lancet Global Health, 7(S19), 19.
Burton, Z. A., Ayele, Y., & McDonald, P. (2019). Establishing a sustainable anaesthetic education programme at Jimma University Medical Centre, Ethiopia. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 47(4), 334-342.
Butali, A., Mossey, P. A., Adeyemo, W. L., Eshete, M. A., Gowans, L., Busch, T. D., Jain, D., Yu, W., Huan, L., Laurie, C. A., Laurie, C. C., Nelson, S., Li, M., Sanchez-Lara, P. A., Magee, W. P., Magee, K. S., Auslander, A., Brindopke, F., Kay, D. M., Caggana, M., … Adeyemo, A. A. (2019). Genomic analyses in African populations identify novel risk loci for cleft palate. Human molecular genetics, 28(6), 1038–1051.
Campbell, A., Restrepo, C., Park, E., Navas, G., Deshpande, G., Swanson, J., et al. (2019). Influence of severity on aesthetic outcomes of unilateral cleft lip repair in 1,823 patients. PRS Global Open, 7(1), e2083.
Gualy, S., Herrera, C., Warden, C., Valle, T., Barnum, J., Colman, B., Siu, A., & Swanson, J. W. (2019). Enabling Community Health Worker Recognition and Referral of Surgical Diseases: Pilot Study Results of a Pictorial Guide. World Journal of Surgery, 43(12), 2949-2958.
Munabi, N. C. O., Durnwald, L., Nagengast, E. S., Auslander, A., Ntirenganya, F., & Magee III, W. P. (2019). Pilot Evaluation of the Impact of a Mission-Based Surgical Training Rotation on the Plastic Surgery Skills and Competencies Development of General Surgery Residents in Rwanda. Journal of Surgical Education, 76(6), 1579-1587.
Yao, C. A., McCullough, M., Auslander, A., Imahiyerobo, T. A., Vander Burg, R., & Magee, W. P. III. (2019). The Smile Index: Part 2. A Simple, Prognostic Severity Scale for Unilateral Cleft Lip. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 143(4), 790e-797e.

McCullough, M., Campbell, A., Siu, A., Durnwald, L., Kumar, S., Magee III, W. P., & Swanson, J. (2018). Competency-Based Education in Low Resource Settings: Development of a Novel Surgical Training Program. World Journal of Surgery, 42(3), 646-651.
Park, E., Deshpande, G., Schonmeyr, B., Restrepo, C., & Campbell, A. (2018). Improved Early Cleft Lip and Palate Complications at a Surgery Specialty Center in the Developing World. The Cleft-Palate Craniofacial Journal, 55(8), 1145-1152.
Park, E., McCullough, M., Purnell, C., & Gosain, A. K. (2018). Incorporating Global Health Experience and Research into Plastic Surgery Training: How and Why. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 6(7), e1809.
Stewart, B.T., Hatcher, K. W., Sengupta, A., and Vander Burg, R. (2018). Cleft-Related Infanticide and Abandonment: A Systematic Review of the Academic and Lay Literature. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 55(1), 98-104.
Yao, C. A., Imahiyerobo, T., Swanson, J., Auslander, A., de Cardenas, D., Figueiredo, J. C., et al. (2018). The Smile Index: Part 1. A Large-Scale Study of Phenotypic Norms for Preoperative and Postoperative Unilateral Cleft Lip. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 141(1), 137-146.

Campbell, A. C., Restrepo, C., Deshpande, G., et al. (2017). Validation of the Unilateral Cleft Lip Severity Index for Surgeons and Laypersons. PRS Global Open, 5(9), e1479.
Campbell, A. C., Restrepo, C., Deshpande, G., et al. (2017). Validation of a Unilateral Cleft Lip Surgical Outcomes Evaluation Scale for Surgeons and Laypersons. PRS Global Open, 5(9), e1472.
Jerome, M.A., Gillenwater, J., Laub, D. R., et al. (2017). Primary Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Assam, India: Does Preoperative Anthropometric Analysis Help Identify Patients With Increased Surgical Risk in a Clinically Prescreened Population? The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 54(6), 720-725.
Ly, S., Burg, M. L., Ihenacho, U., et al. (2017). Paternal Risk Factors for Oral Clefts in Northern Africans, Southeast Asians, and Central Americans. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(6), 657.
Swanson, J. W., Yao, C. A., Auslander, A., et al. (2017). Patient barriers to accessing surgical cleft care in Vietnam: a multi-site, cross-sectional outcomes study. World Journal of Surgery, 41(6), 1435-1446.

Burg, M. L., Chai, Y., Yao. C. A., Magee III, W. P., & Figueiredo, J. C. (2016). Epidemiology, Etiology, and Treatment of Isolated Cleft Palate. Frontiers in Physiology, 7(article 67).
Campbell, A. (2016). Disruptive Innovation in Surgical Education. The Journal of the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, 1(1), 6-7.
Carlson, L. C., Stewart, B. T., Hatcher, K. W., et al. (2016). A Model of the Unmet Need for Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. World Journal of Surgery, 40(12), 2857-2867.
Jones, C., Campbell, A. C., Magee, W. P., Ayala, R., & Mackay, D. R. (2016). The Expanding Role of Education and Research in International Healthcare. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 76, S150-S154.
Schönmeyr, B., Wendby, L., & Campbell, A. (2016). Surgical Complications in 1408 Primary Cleft Palate Repairs Operated at a Single Center in Guwahati, Assam, India. The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, 53(3), 278-282.
Stewart, B. T., Carlson, L., Hatcher, K. W., et al. (2016). Estimate of Unmet Need for Cleft Lip and/or Palate Surgery in India. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 18(5), 354-361.
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Yao, C. A., Swanson, J., Chanson, D., et al. (2016). Barriers to Reconstructive Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study of 453 Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Patients in Vietnam. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 138(5), 887e-895e.
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Aznar, M. L., Schönmeyr, B., Echaniz, G., et al. (2015). Role of Postoperative Antimicrobials in Cleft Palate Surgery: Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study in India. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 136(1), 59e-66e.
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Costa, M. A., Yao, C. A., Gillenwater, T. J., Taghva, G. H., Abrishami, S., Green, T. A., & Magee, W. P. (2015). Telemedicine in Cleft Care: Reliability and Predictability in Regional and International Practice Settings. The Journal of craniofacial surgery, 26(4), 1116–1120.
Deshpande, G. & Schönmeyr, B. (2015). Using Electronic Tablets as a Teaching Tool for Marking Cleft Lip Repairs. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 68(1), 122-123.
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Schönmeyr, B., Wendby, L., Sharma, M. et al. (2015). Limited Chances of Speech Improvement After Late Cleft Palate Repair. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 26(4), 1182-1185.
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Fellowships

Operation Smile is committed to educating the next generation of thought leaders.

Learn more about the fellowships we offer.

The Global Surgery Fellowship program gives young medical professionals long-term opportunities to expand and enhance their global health knowledge and expertise. The fellows are fully integrated into Operation Smile’s work and gain exposure to research, advocacy and on-ground programmatic global surgery initiatives in the low-and middle-income countries where we work.

Learn more about the Global Surgery Fellowship.

The Women in Medicine Leadership Fellowship is a part-time fellowship tailored for passionate women in the healthcare workforce in low- and middle-income countries who have demonstrated an eagerness to enter leadership roles and advance gender equality in their healthcare systems. Fellows complete this experience while continuing their patient care and leadership work. This fellowship aims to provide emerging women leaders in healthcare in their early and mid-careers with the knowledge, skills and networks necessary to drive positive change in their healthcare systems and advance gender equality. It provides a supportive cohort of other women, practical training on leadership skills and management tools, and mentorship. Fellows benefit from training on leadership fundamentals, communication skills, project management, research, evidence-based management, resource management and individual and organizational sustainability. This fellowship helps women advance into leadership positions through equipping them with the skills and support to help them overcome barriers.

Learn about the Women in Medicine program.